Low-voltage release-switch



' E. H. JACOBS.

LOW VOLTAGE RELEASE SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-8| 191s.

Patented June 7, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

age fails on the I ther improvement resides in the releasing UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' muss: a. cons, or CHICAGO, ILLmoIs, assrenon'ro ELECTRICAL worms m'cxrumrr comm, or cmcaco, ILLINOIS, A conrom'rIoN or ILLmoIs.

LOW-VOLTAGE RELEASE-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June '7, 1921.

Application filed Au ust's, 1cm. Serial no. 248,971.

y invention relates to low voltage release switches.

Continuit of service is one of the requirements of e ectrical service. Generally in modern distributin systems the continuity of service is remarka ly high. The desirability of continuity is apparent to the consumer e'ven in-such a sim le case as a pure lighting load. The rea y serious resultspf discontinuity are not found in a pure lighting load as current ma be turned off and .on without damage. owever, in the case of a power load a different condition prevails. If the current goes off a power load'long enough to cause slowing down of the motors or other rota apparatus and then is thrown on sud enly, the rotary apparatus may not be able to pick up its speed under load and may be damaged. Furthermore the large rush of current often injures the line or protective device and causes serious conse uences.

t has heretofore been roposed to employ switches for automatically interrupting the suppl circuit when the voltage falls below a pre etermined value and such devices are now in common use. My present invention provides an improved form of lowv voltage releaseswitch of the above described class.

My invention also provides means for automatic'ally switching the consumption circuit upon another supply circuit when volt-, rimary supply circuit. Thus the consumption circuit is subject to a minimum of discontinuity as the action of the switch is substantially instantaneous in transferring the consumption circuit from one source to a secondary source.

My invention further provides an alarm controlled by shifting of the switch. A furmechanism for the switch and the means for resetting the switch.

Other subsidiary objects will be apparent from the following detailed description.-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a switch constructed in accordance with my invention; a

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view. of; the same;

Fig. is a detail view of the latching mechanism taken online 33 of Fig. 2;

Flg. 4 is a detail view takenon hne 4-4 of 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail fragmentary views of the cam mechanism employed.

The movable part of the switch comprises the pairs of blades '1, 2 and 3 which are of the floating blade type, and which are clamped or pivoted in the center to the stationary lugs 4by means of the bolts 5. The lugs 4 are secured to a suitable base board or panel 6 which may be of slate, marble or the ike, as is usually employed in switchboard construction. The respective blades of each pair of blades are held together at their extremities by the bolts 8 and 9 and the spring washers 10 and 11. A suitable handle 12 is provided with extensions or tongues 13 which serve as spacers for the upper ends of.

the pairs of blades 1, 2 and 3. These tongues 13 serve as spacers and prevent the respective blades from being drawn too closely to- V gether by the bolts 8 and washers 10. To make the handlesure and easy to grip, a rod 14 is boltedto the supports 15 and 16 which are mounted on a rectangular block 1?,1all of which are made of insulated mater1a mounted upon the base 6 and connected to the generator line, en ages the blades at the upper ends thereof. he bolts 8 and 9 serve to guide the lugs when engaging the blades, thus affording proper alinement.

If the line potential of the generator should fall below a predetermined point the armature, of the electro-ma et is released and the spring automatica ly throws the switch blades to the alternative contacts which are connected to some other source of 100 which is fastened by means of bolts 23 to the 105 base 6. The armature 25 is mounted on a lever 27 having a toggle movement. The link 27 connected at one end to the armature 25, is fulcrumed at its center to lug 26 projecting from the casing of the magnet. 110

The lugs or terminals 18 which are- I the same, the other end of which is fastened to the link 28, thus completing a toggle movement when the lever 27 is operated. The lugs 35 are formed integral with a bushing 36 which is fitted into'theaperture 32 to serve as a protecting member to the insulated mounting and is threaded at its other-end to a collar 37, making it impossible to move out of position. A lever 38 with a finger 39 at one end is also pivoted to the In 35 and passes through the aperture 32, aving its opposite end 42 turned upward so that it will bear upon the under surface of the link 27.

' engage the cam 41.

tension of the sprin A block .ismounjted on the insulated bar 17 havin cams 40Za'nd41. rojecting therefrom. the cam 40 and the finger 39 is adapted to hen the magnet 33' from the cam 40 and permitting the hook 39 to. ride out of engagement with the cam 41 on account of the downward pressure the link 27 imparts to the arm 42 of the lever 38. The switch blades are immediately thrown backward, caused by the.

43. The lower ends of the pairs of bla es engage the lugs or terminals 44 which are connected to a storage battery or any auxiliary source of power supply available. The bolts 45 and 9 have the same function as the bolts 8 and 19, that is, they serve to guide and keep the terminals 44 into close contact with the blades.

The spring mechanism is provided with a spring 43 mounted upon a rod 46. This rod 46 has one end passing through an aperture 49and a lever 47 connected thereto which is fastened in any suitable manner to the switch blades 1 or 3. The other end of the rod 46 is provided with a collar 48 threading thereon, which serves as a bearing surface for one end of the spring 43. When the switch blades are set in contact with the generator plugs or terminals 18, the lower end of the blade will be pulled upward, carrying the lever 47 with it. The rod 46 will consequently follow and the collar 48 will compress the spring 43. I

have provided a protecting bushing 50 which prevents chipping of the insulated mounting 6 about the periphery of the aperture 49.

I have found that the electro-magnet 20 is apt to be seriously damaged if the switch -.electro-magnet which would he hook 33 is a apted to engage 20 is denergized, the armature 25 will drop, releasing the'hook is .not immediately reset upon the return of sult in the burning out of the magnet wind ing or dangerous overheating of the same, not to mention the waste of current involved. To overcome these objections I automatically control the electro-magnet circuit by providing a pair of terminals 51 connected in the electro-magnet circuit and connected to any one of the phases or feed wires leading from the main source of supply. Mounted on the switch blade is the contact lug 52 adapted to be interposed between and to contact with the terminals51. Thiswill reduce danger of damage to the probably result' if the current were permitted to flow continuously through the same when not properly set.

Somet1mes throughthe negligence of the operator, the switch blades are left feeding on the auxiliary power supply too long, which often'results in damage to the system on account of the limited su ply of power in the auxiliary power supp y, such as has been the experience with storage batteries. To warn, intime, the attendant in charge, I provide an alarm mechanism.

This alarm mechanism comprises a pair of terminals 55 bridged across the auxiliary power supply and engages the lug 56 mounted upon the switch blade 2 in any suitable manner. These terminals 55 are connected to an electric bell 57 which will operate as'soo'n as the switch is connected to the auxiliary power supply.

During the period in which said switch blades are in engagement with the auxiliary terminals 44,'the armature 25 of the electromagnet drops down upon the end of the link 38 causing the fingers 39 to swing upwardly and at the same time the link 28 pulls the arm 31 upwardly and swings the hook 33 downwardly. When the switch blades are re-set, the cam 31 engages the finger 39, causing it to swing downward to normal position and hence, return the armature to a point within the range of attraction of the magnet 20,.so that it will be shown or described, but intend that all such be included within the terms the follow-' modifications and variations as will suggest themselves to one skilled 1n the artand coming within the spirit of m 1nvent1on,

ing claims.

-cla1m: 1. In combination with an electrlc'switch having a switch blade member pivotally anism.

mounted upon a stationary terminal me her and a cooperating stationary terminal member, latch1ng mechanism' for holding the blade into engagement with the cooperating stationary terminal member, sa1d,

. latching mechanism comprising a lever arm having a hook at theouter end thereof for cooperating with a shoulder on the blade member, and a second lever armfor resetting the first'said lever arm.

2. In combination, a switch blade memher, a terminal member for pivotally carryingsaid blade member, a second terminal member adapted to be normally engaged by one extremity of said blade member, an auxiliary terminal member, the opposite extremity of said switch blade member being adapted abnormally to engage with said auxlliary terminal member, spring mecha nism tending to .throw the blade. member into contact with said auxiliary terminal member and latching mechanism for maintaining the engagement of the switch-blade member with said second terminal member and adapted to be electricall released upon failure of voltage, and a v0 tage controlled electromagnet governing said latching mechanism.

3. In combination, a plurality of stationary terminals, a plurahty of switch blades pivoted on said terminals,an electromagnet, a plurality of secondary terminals, a plurality of auxiliary termmals, means for retaining the switch blades in contact with said secondary terminals during the energization of said electromagnet, means for retaining the switch blades in contact with said auxiliary terminals during the-de'nergization of the electromagnet, said means com rising a lever pivotally connected near the ower extremity of the blade and a rod under spring restraining means connected to the other end of said lever.

4. Thecombination of a main terminal, an auxiliary'terminal, a switch'bladepivoted between said terminals, an electromagnet, latching mechanism having operative connection with said electromagnet, said mechanism comprising. a plurality of levers adapted to restrain said switch blade from an outward movement, and alarm means comprising jaw contacts ada ted to 'be engaged by a contact lug on 'sai' blade.

anism interposed between said electromagnet and oneset of said contacts.- and'means for throwing the electromagnet out of the circuit upon release of said latching mech- 6; An automatic switch com rising a air of terminals, a secondpair o termma s, a switch blade pivoted on said second pair of terminals, a pair o'fauxiliary terminals, latching means for holding said first pair of terminals into engagement .with said switch blade, an electromagnet for tripping said latch means, whereupon the switch blades are thrown into engagement with the auxiliary terminals, and spring means for retaining said switch blade in contact with said auxiliary terminals.

7 The combination of anelectrical switch having a' plurality of contacts and switch blades engaging said contacts, means for antomatically actuating said switch, said means. comprising an electroma net having operative connection with a pa1r of levers, the outer ends-of which engage said switch blades, and independent means for throwing said electromagnet out of the circuit upon energization.

8. The-combination of an electrical switch having. a plurality of contacts and switch blades engaging said contacts and adapted to close a main circuit, means for automatically actuating said switch and connected to said main circuit, and interrupting means for automatically disconnecting said first means after the switch blades have been actuated.

9. The combination of an electrical switch having a plurality of contacts and switch blades engaging said contacts and adapted to close a main circuit, means for automatically actuating said switch and connected to said main circuit, interrupting means for automatically disconnecting said first means after the switch blades have been-actuated, and an independent circuit ada ted to signal the actuation of said switch blades.

10. In a switch, a pair of blades of elbow form, a stationary, pivotal contact, said blades being pivoted at their central portion on said contact, a pair of stationary contacts for makin contact with the extremities of said bla es, said blades lying upon the outside of both the former and the latter contacts and spring means for laterally pressing the blades against the sides of both said contacts.

11. In combination, rimary terminals pivotally carrying'a switch blade member,

secondary terminals adapted to be engaged below its pivotal connection, said arm. being connected with a rod having an abutment at its outer end and a spring confined on said rod between the abutment and said arm.

- 12. In combination, a'base, a plurality of terminal contacts carried on said base, a switch member of elbow form pivotally carried between its extremities by the central terminal contact, latching means located substantially above the upper terminal contact, said latching mechanism comprising a lever having a hooked end, the other end of which passes through said base and has operative connection with an armature of an electromagnet, said hooked end adapted to engage said blade members for holdmgit into engagement withthe upper terminal contacts, and spring means for restralmng said engagement.

13. In combination, a base, a plurality of terminal contacts carried on said base, a switch blade member pivotally carried between. its extremities by the central terminal contact, latching mechanism substantially above the upper terminal contact, said latchin'g mechanism projecting through said base and having operative connection with an electromagnet, means on the opposite end of the latchmg mechanism for holding the switch blade member into engagement with the upper terminal, spring means restraining said engagement and tending to engage sai switch blade member with the lower contact, an auxiliary contact lug on said switch blade member adapted to disengage a coiiperating contact member upon releas ng of the latching mechanism, whereupon said electromagnet is thrown out of the circuit.

14. In combination, a base, a plurality of terminal contacts carried on said base, a

' switch blade member of elbow form pivotmeans on the opposite end of the latching mechanism for olding the switch blade member into engagement. with the up er terminal member, means substantially etween the central and lower terminal contacts for restraining said engagement, said means comprising an arm member. ivoted to the switch blade member and aving pivotal connection at its other end witha ro'ectin member, said projecting member Bas ing through said base and having an element at its opposite end serving'as an abutment for a spring confined on the projectin member.

15. n combination, a base, a plurality of terminal contacts carried. on said base, a switch blade member pivotally carried on one of said terminal contacts, latching mechanism substantially above sald terminal contacts, said latching mechanism projecting through said base and having operative connection with an armature of an electromagnet, hook means on the "opposite end of-the latching mechanism for holding the switch blade member into engagement with the free terminal contact under restrainin action, and contact means for disconnectlng said electromagnetfrom the circuit upon actuation thereof. I

'16. In combination, an insulated base member, a blade member pivoted on one side ofsaid base and adapted to be connected in series in a main circuit, terminal members carried by said base for cooperating with said blade member, an. electro-magnet carried on the opposite side of said base, a latch member controlled by the electro-magnet,

said latch member projecting through the base, and an Independent terminal member earned by the base and being controlled by 'the blade member to connect said electromagnet across the main circuit when the switch blade is closed.

-17. In combination, a switch having a switch blade adapted to be connected in a line, means tendin to throw the switch blade to open position, a latch for holding the blade in closed position, a voltage controlled magnet having a movable magnetic member which controls the latch, said magnet being bridged across the line in which the switch is connected, a separate switch contact for the circuit of the magnet said contact being operated by the switch to disconnect the magnet when the switch is opened.

, 18. In combination, a switch having a switch blade adapted to be connected in a line, means tending to throw the switch blade to open position, a latch for holding the blade in closed position, a voltage controlled magnet having a movable magnetic member which controls the latch, said magnet being bridged across the line in which the switch is connected, and testing means controlled by the closing of the switch to test the magnet for voltage on the line before the latch becomes operative. v

19. In combination, a switch having a switch blade, means tending to throw the switch blade to 0 en position, a latch for holding the blade in closed position, a voltage controlled magnet havmg a movable magnetic member which controls the latch, said magnet being bridged across the line in which the switch is connected, and means governed by the closing of the switch to raise the magnetic member momentarily into position to be attracted by the magnet before the latch becomes operative, said means being adapted to permit the magnetic member to fall away and release the latch if no voltage is on the line.

20. In combination, a switch having a switch blade, means tending to throw the switch blade to open position, a latch for holding the blade in closed position, a voltage controlled magnet having a movable magnetic member which controls the latch, said magnet being bridged across the line in which the switch is connected, and testing means comprising a cam member for moving the magnetic member into the range of action of the magnet momentarily only when the switch is moved to closed position and before the latch becomes operative to make a momentary test for the present voltage on the line.

21. In combination, a switch having a switch blade, means tending to throw the switch blade to open position, a latch for holding the blade in closed position, a voltage controlled magnet having a movable magnetic member which controls the latch, said magnet being bridged across the line in which the switch is connected, and testing means for moving the magnetic member within the range of the magnet before the latch becomes operative said means permitting the magnetic member to move away from the magnet if the voltage is off the line, before the latch becomes operative.

22. In a switch, a switch blade, a latch for holding the blade in closed position, a shoulder on the blade for engagement by the latch, a voltage controlled magnet having a rnagnetic member adapted when no voltage ERNEST JACOBS. 

